Devices for bathing a baby: how to choose what you really need?

Bath

It would seem that what could be easier than choosing a bath for bathing a newborn? However, manufacturers of children's products have made it much more difficult for modern parents. Today, buyers are offered an incredible number of bathtubs to choose from: classic, anatomical, orthopedic, folding, inflatable, bathtubs for showers, bathtubs of the “mummy tummy” type, with stands, with built-in thermometers, with hoses for draining water, and even bathtubs built into the changing room table. They all differ from each other in size, functional features and cost, where the most affordable option is the usual classic plastic bathtubs, and the most expensive are bathtubs built into a changing table and/or chest of drawers.

This assortment not only allows parents to choose the most suitable option for specific living conditions and circumstances, but also makes them think about the age at which the child will take water procedures in an individual bath. Because, for example, it is impossible to organize swims in bathtubs for shower cabins or in orthopedic models, and the bowls of bathtubs built into furniture are generally intended for children no older than six months.

Newborn bathing equipment

Entering a children's store, your eyes widen at the abundance of bathing products for newborns. And many parents begin to buy everything without going overboard. But is all this paraphernalia really so necessary? What do you need to bathe your baby?

Bathtub

Let's start with a baby bath for bathing a newborn. It really is necessary. The baby will feel comfortable in it, and water consumption will be minimal.

Which bathtub models should you pay attention to:

Classic. It does not have any additional devices in the form of bulges, slides, or mattresses, but if necessary, it can be equipped with everything necessary. Ideal for babies from the first days of life.
Anatomical. It has support in the form of a built-in slide, which allows you to fix the baby in a position convenient for bathing.
Small bathtub with stand. This is a very convenient option that allows mom to protect her back during water procedures. Such models are small in size.
Antimicrobial. For production, a special microban material is used. It fights bacteria that accumulate on the surface and destroys them. Its price is an order of magnitude higher than previous options.
Folding - does not take up much space.
Inflatable – ideal for travel, similar to a small pool.

In addition to these models, there are several more, but they are not so popular. We are talking about bathtubs built into a changing table or chest of drawers. These devices are quite bulky and are not suitable for bathrooms with a small area.

Slide

A slide in a bathtub for a newborn is one of the devices, the use of which allows you to slightly ease the fate of parents during bathing and do not hold the child in their arms during the entire water procedure, but only lightly hold the baby to avoid possible falls.

Slides are offered for sale both as single “monolithic” structures in orthopedic or anatomical baths, and as separate accessories. Slides differ in size, material of manufacture (plastic and fabric with a metal frame), as well as in purpose: slide-lounger and slide-chaise lounge. For newborn children, it is better to choose a chaise longue, since in it the newborn simply lies on his back at a slight angle. And for older children, those who are already starting or know how to sit on their own, the slide-lounger option is more suitable, since in them the baby takes a more semi-sitting position. Beds, as a rule, are larger in size and have limiters - special recesses for the baby’s bottom. Attached models of slides are attached to the bottom of the bathtub with suction cups and can be easily removed from there if parents want to send their child on a “free swim.”

Swimming slide for newborns

Another attribute that simplifies water procedures and makes them safe and comfortable is a slide for bathing newborns. Most models are designed for children over 6 months.

The main types of slides are:

Plastic. They have a bright color, are attached with suction cups to the bottom of a large bathtub, and support the baby between the legs and under the arms, preventing him from slipping into the water.
Fabric. They are also called sun loungers or sunbeds for bathing children. They are not as comfortable as the previous option, since they do not fix the baby’s position; he can easily slip off.
Read also: How to decide on the size of clothes for newborns
Foam rubber – soft and comfortable.

Circle

Bathing a newborn with a circle is a great opportunity not only to relieve the burden on the parent’s back, but also to give the child a lot of pleasure from the opportunity to go “independent swimming” in a large bathtub. This accessory differs from the familiar inflatable ring in that it is smaller in size, has two inflatable chambers, a carabiner clasp and two Velcro, with which the circle is fixed on the child’s neck. The circle has many advantages: it is safe, allows the baby to splash around in the bath independently and prevents water from getting into the ears. Swimming with a circle is a great workout for all your baby's muscles. But there are also disadvantages:

The circle is a rather bulky design, and not every child will be happy to put it on themselves.
It is quite easy to bite through the circle, after which it cannot be used.
Children quickly grow out of it. Although manufacturers claim that it is suitable for children up to three years old, usually by six to eight months the circle becomes small and uninteresting.

Collar

An inflatable collar for bathing newborns, also called a pillow-collar, is a kind of analogue of a circle, but without fixing fasteners and Velcro. It consists of an inflatable bladder and a removable fabric cover and is used to support the baby's head above the water. At the same time, it does not cancel out the help of parents: despite the fact that the collar fits tightly around the baby’s neck and keeps his head on the surface of the water, it is not fixed in anything, so there is a very high risk of the child slipping out of the “tender embrace” of this children’s gadget. Manufacturers assure that the collar can be used not only while swimming, but also on walks and on long journeys, since the collar carefully supports the baby’s cervical vertebrae. But this is a rather controversial statement, since additional support in the form of a special pillow for the head and cervical vertebrae of a healthy baby is not conditioned by anything and is more harmful than useful.

Hammock

A hammock in a bathtub for newborns is a frame structure covered with cotton mesh, elastic and durable fabric. The use of this device is only possible if you have a baby bath, since the hammock is attached with hooks exclusively to its sides. Therefore, you can find a second name for a hammock: “bath net”. Thanks to its special fastening system, the body of a child placed in a hammock is approximately ¾ immersed in water, and the head is kept on the surface. Using a mesh allows you to easily carry out all the necessary water procedures alone, without outside help. But its use is limited to when the baby is five months old and weighs no more than eight kilograms. When purchasing a mesh, you need to know exactly the dimensions of the bathtub: otherwise, you may purchase something that is not the right size.

Shopping by season

Dowry for a newborn in winter:

Winter discharge kit
Envelope/overalls with fur
Warm hat, socks and mittens
Blanket made of padding polyester/wool
Flannel diapers
Thermal packaging for bottles
Stroller coupling
Sleigh and stroller

List of things for a newborn in autumn - spring:

Discharge kit (autumn-spring)
Envelope/overalls with padding polyester
Warm hat, socks and mittens
Knitted/flannel diapers
Fleece/velor blanket
Crib set with blanket
Raincoat
mosquito net
Stroller
Stroller

What to buy for a newborn baby in the summer:

Summer discharge kit
Calico/knitted diapers
Knitted blanket
Raincoat
mosquito net
Stroller
Stroller

And a few more tips on choosing things necessary for a newborn:

A crib with a pendulum will greatly facilitate the process of rocking your baby to sleep, and when the baby grows up, the pendulum can be fixed.
When choosing a stroller, focus primarily on convenience, not price. It often turns out that young parents, having initially saved, come back for a new stroller after a while, because a walk with the baby turns into hard labor due to the wrong stroller.
A mattress for a newborn should be hard. This contributes to the correct formation of the baby’s posture. Now it is possible to buy mattresses with different side hardnesses that will last you up to 3 years.
When purchasing a car seat/car seat, pay attention to the presence of the ECE R44/03 or ECE R44/04 mark, which indicates that the seat has passed all the necessary tests and complies with the European Safety Standard.
All baby’s underwear (clothes) must be boiled, washed, and ironed with a hot iron before use. Iron internal seams. Children's underwear should be stored separately from adult underwear.

But we would not recommend you buy the following things for a newborn:

Blouses that need to be put on over the head, since the child’s reaction will be definitely negative
Lots of clothes of the same size, so you won’t even notice how your baby will outgrow them
Clothing in bright colors, as they can irritate the baby's eyes. Opt for soft pink, sky blue, pistachio colors, and all shades of beige and light ocher are also suitable
You should not buy synthetic items for your child. Give preference to things made from natural materials. They are much nicer to the touch and do not cause allergies.
Do not buy clothes for your newborn baby with fastenings at the back, because your baby will spend most of the time on his back
There are a lot of disposable diapers at once, as they simply may not suit your baby
Formula milk without pediatrician advice

Vest

The Baby Swim Vest is a classic vest made from foam blocks lined with cotton fabric. Designed to hold the baby on the surface of the water. But its use is only advisable if you have a foam cap, because the vest does not support the baby’s head in any way. In addition, it does not allow you to immerse yourself in water, so swimming in this position becomes a rather dubious procedure. Due to the fact that the vest has a “loose cut” and does not fit the baby’s body, during water procedures it constantly bunches up, causing discomfort to the child. Another disadvantage of this bathing accessory is that it cannot be put on a baby alone. To cope with this task, two adults are needed: one holds the baby, the second puts on the vest.

Seven mother's helpers for easy bathing of the baby

Very convenient device for children who can already sit

Everything was harsh before. A large bathtub, a mother bent in half, holding a baby in her strong arms... And also water regularly getting into the ears, choking, slipping (these children turn into fidgety fish in the water). Now my mother’s life is made easier by wonderful devices. Worth a closer look:

1. Slide

A plastic inclined slide with anatomical grooves for the child’s body, attached to a small bathtub (there are also ones for a large bathtub). You can put your baby on the slide. At the bottom of the slide there is a mini seat on which the baby seems to sit, and which stops the child, preventing him from sliding down the slide. This stopper can be folded back so that the grown-up baby can happily slide down the slide when his mother holds him.

Pros: You can put your child on the slide while you straighten up. While the child is lying on the slide, he can dangle his legs and arms, and the mother, without getting tired, can water the baby and play with him. Suitable for newborns who cannot sit but can only lie down.

Cons: If the slide is plastic, it can be slippery. It's better to put a diaper on it. A child will not learn or love to swim on a slide. He lies statically during water procedures, and does not learn to float on the water.

PRICE: from 300 rubles.

2. Chaise longue

The purpose of a chaise lounge is the same as that of a slide - to support it in the bath so that parents do not have to hold the child.

Pros: Unlike a slide, a bouncer is usually soft, which makes the child feel more comfortable.

Cons: The baby does not learn to swim and stay on the water. You can’t let go of it at all; you still need to constantly hold it so that the fidget doesn’t turn around and slip into the water.

PRICE: 500 rubles.

3. High chair

A very convenient device for children who can already sit. The chair is attached to the bottom of a large bathtub with suction cups. The child is “fixed” firmly in him. Some chairs are sold with toys on the front. You can move the chair to the tap, then the baby can play with the running water.

Pros: You can safely not hold your child in a high chair, just watch and play.

Cons: The chair is still hard, and the baby will not be able to sit in it for a long time. The bathtub can only be filled a little, and the baby's arms and upper body may become cold. It is not very convenient to push a child into this high chair, and then it is not easy to remove it back, especially if the baby bends his knees. It is better to choose a chair that opens in front for seating. Sitting in a high chair, a child can play, but does not learn to swim, does not feel the water and does not get used to the depth.

PRICE: from 1 thousand rubles.

4. Circle around the neck

An inflatable ring-collar is one of the best inventions for swimming. A good circle has hidden seams and will not rub the baby’s neck. The circle is attached around the head, it has a special recess for the chin, thus keeping the baby's head securely above the water.

Pros: The circle protects the ears from water. The circle allows the child to swim completely freely, move, lie down on the water, turn his head, does not hinder movements, thus swimming becomes pleasant and safe even in a large bathtub. The circle does not squeeze the throat - the Velcro closure allows you to adjust the size. Easy to take off and put on. The child’s body is completely in the water, and no “individual parts” have time to freeze.

Cons: Only one. The child behind the circle does not see the depth.

PRICE: from 500 rubles.

5. Pillow

For young mothers, this device will resemble a nursing pillow. In principle, the meaning is the same. Soft fabric pillow - a semicircle inside filled with silicone balls. Suitable for children from six months. The child holds onto it like a circle and floats around the large bathtub.

Pros: The pillow is soft, you want to hug it, you want to hold on to it. It allows you to feel the water, depth, and learn to maintain balance. The pillow dries quickly on the battery.

Cons: Keep an eye on your child with this pillow. You can easily slide off it, hang over it and take a sip of water. The pillow absorbs everything that is added to the bath - herbal infusions, colored foam. You will have to wash it regularly rather than just dry it.

PRICE: from 500-800 rubles.

6. Hat and vest

This is a fabric cap with foam blocks attached to it. We put it on the child’s head, and the head does not sink, but stays on the surface. It’s the same story with a vest – we put on a blouse with “built-in” foam blocks like a sleeveless vest and fasten it on the chest and waist.

Pros: The child swims completely independently, can feel the water, the depth, can see the edges of the bathtub, and push off from them. This is a full float. You can design and make such a hat (and such a vest) yourself.

Cons: Water gets into your ears. The baby may roll over face down (usually by pushing off the edge of the bathtub) and then be unable to lift his head without your help. You need to watch very carefully so that the child does not swallow water.

PRICE: from 350 rubles for a cap and from 1 thousand rubles for a vest.

7. Mat or support mat

There are simple mattresses that you place at the bottom of the bathtub so that the baby lies on something soft. And there are rugs - something like a stretched diaper. The mat is attached to the edges of the bathtub. The child thus lies on the mat without falling below a certain level.

Pros: Insurance for parents and weight relief for mom's arms. Soft and comfortable. A great option for those who don’t have a small bathtub.

Cons: You still have to hold the baby tightly. Consider that you are bathing yourself, you can simply put part of the weight on the mat.

PRICE: from 500 rubles.

Rug

Bath mats for bathing children are an excellent opportunity to make the bathing procedure as safe as possible. They are made from rubber or vinyl and have an anti-slip coating. The underside of the rugs should be equipped with suction cups, with the help of which the rug is held at the bottom of a children's or large bathtub. The sizes of the mats vary from very small, the size of a child’s palm or foot, to full-size, designed for large stationary bathtubs or showers. Some mats have additional entertainment or massage functionality. Using a bath mat eliminates the risk of your baby slipping in the bathtub and getting injured. And in general, a thing in the house is necessary and “durable”: you can use it until the need no longer exists.

Visor

A visor for washing a child's hair is a device designed to prevent foam and water from entering a newborn's eyes when washing soap or shampoo from the hair. There are different models of visors on sale: with and without latches, with handle holders, clasps, visors for the entire head and only for the frontal part. But despite such diversity, there are practically no visors that can be adjusted in size to the baby’s head. This means that the leakage of soapy water is not completely excluded from any model. In addition, it should be noted that not every child will agree to wear such a device.

Mattress

The mattress for bathing newborns is very similar to the familiar inflatable swimming mattress. But unlike it, the mattress for bathing infants has a non-woven water-repellent surface and a filler made of polystyrene balls. It is due to the filler that the mattress, firstly, takes the shape of the baby’s body laid on the device, and secondly, it is held on the surface of the water, only slightly plunging into its upper layers. Due to this property - not to sink too much - the mattress has a second name: raft. It is believed that such a calm drift on the surface of the water calms and relaxes the baby. Of course, swimming on a mattress has little to do with actual bathing, but it is quite suitable for variety and entertainment for the little ones. On sale you can find models with and without headrests. When buying a mattress, you must remember that it has restrictions on the age and weight of the baby.

Anatomical bath

Most likely, when you buy something in a store, they will advertise an anatomical bathtub for you. While in it, with the help of special anatomically verified notches, the baby is fixed in the water in a semi-sitting position. Recesses for the armpits support the baby's body from above, and the support between the legs prevents him from sliding down. On the opposite side, most of these plastic products have a recess for bathing an older child who can sit.

Mom's hands are significantly freed up, and she can calmly open bottles of shampoo and bath foam, lather the baby with them, gently rinse them off with water and massage the baby's body.

The inconvenience of such a bath is that the anatomical protrusions will soon begin to interfere with the grown-up child. He will simply no longer fit in them, and when he tries to be active in the water, he will hit them painfully. You will have to either buy a regular bathtub, or transfer the baby's bathing to an adult. In addition, such a bath is quite inconvenient to wash, and due to the anatomical protrusions, you will not be able to use it later for any household needs.

Litter

You can also find such an exotic item on sale as a soft bedding for a child’s bath. The device is controversial, but it also found its fans. The bedding is made of soft non-woven materials and is designed to increase the comfort of a newborn during water procedures. When purchasing, you should remember that it does not float on the surface of the water and, as a rule, is too large for children’s baths. It may be convenient to use the bedding for water procedures at an accelerated pace, for example, to rinse the baby in the shower.

To be fair, it should be said that, if necessary, an ordinary baby diaper can be successfully used as bedding.

General recommendations for selection

When you go to the store to choose a baby bath, pay attention not only to its type and color, but also to other characteristics.

the bottom should not be dangerously slippery. To make the child's position stable, you can purchase a special anti-slip mat and line the bottom of a small plastic or large enamel bath with it. Some of these products have a built-in temperature sensor, so you will always know exactly what the temperature of the water in which the newborn is.
The bath should be easy to clean, its surface should be smooth.
The dimensions of the plastic bath should be such that the baby can sit comfortably in it for as long as possible while bathing, and the bath itself can be placed in the bathroom without any problems. Before choosing a plastic product for water procedures, take care to measure the room in which this process will take place.
It will be convenient if there is a hole in the bath to drain the water.
If you want the bath to be located at a level convenient for you, you can purchase a special stand for it. When choosing it, you need to check its stability and ability to withstand the weight of a bath filled with water.

High chair

A device such as a baby bathing chair or bathing chair can greatly help parents by taking the strain that would normally fall on their arms and back. But you can use the seat in the bathroom only when the baby’s back is strong enough and he sits independently without adult support. Sitting in such a chair, the child gets the opportunity to play with toys while bathing, and special barriers - a bumper and a jumper - prevent him from falling to the side or backwards. But purchasing a high chair may be pointless if the child does not like any restrictions on movement.

What types of child seats are there?

Today, any “children’s world” offers a wide variety of items for swimming in the bathtub. All of them are convenient, practical and comfortable. The main thing is that the chair for the little one to stay in the water has a streamlined shape without a single sharp corner or any other shape dangerous to his health.

Let's look at the main types of high chairs.

Standard

The most common type is a regular chair equipped with restraints. A distinctive feature is the presence of a side and the absence of additional elements. Fastening is carried out using suction cups included with the chair. The fixing elements are located under the seat itself or attached to the sides.

There are products with both types of fixation and with removable toys or a bumper. In appearance, the chair is very similar to a place for eating, because there is a panel installed in front that prevents the child from falling.

This item measures 30x30x20 cm and fits well in the bathroom. It is recommended for the youngest children under one year of age.

This chair is preferred by parents, for whom reliability and quality are the main advantages of the product. However, there is also a significant drawback - with constant use of the chair, the suction cups lose functionality.

Rotary

Designs of this type of product can make circular turns, which is pleasant for the baby and convenient for parents, since the process of water procedures is greatly facilitated. Mom likes the convenience of the design, and the child likes the movement and the opening horizons in the room.

Chairs of this type are intended for children older than six months. They have a size of 65x35x50cm. The main problem is proper installation when the surface of the bath is uneven.

Transformers

There is an interesting solution for making a chair in the form of a transformer, which is considered a universal product. It is equipped with suction cups, which can be easily replaced with stable legs included in the package. The main feature is the presence of suction cups and legs on the bottom of the seat, which allow you to install the chair on a hard surface. Product size 32x29x22 cm.

The transformable chair is great for giving your child water treatments and for your baby to eat. The adjustable bar for the backrest should be tilted back when feeding so that the little one has maximum convenience and comfort.

For the safety of the baby in such a chair, it is not recommended to carry out both bathing and feeding at the same time.

The main disadvantage of the model is the somewhat wide space between the legs, which can be inconvenient for children with low weight.

Hanging

The chair can have a hanging design, be very light and attached to the sides of the bathtub with clamps used as a fixing element. This model has a fairly high adjustable back, which makes it convenient to wash the baby, and due to the side fastening, it has the largest dimensions in the model range: 65x35x55 cm.

However, some parents note that if the baby is quite active, he can rest his feet on the bottom of the bathtub and tear off the fastening. This may cause him to fall into the water.

Since the chair is attached to the side of the bathtub, for bathing you need to draw a full bath of water, which is inconvenient and not economically profitable if bathing occurs every day. This is considered the main disadvantage of this design.

There are also adapted bathing chairs for twins.

cap

A baby bathing cap is not a rubber cap for swimming in a pool. This is a foam cap designed to hold the baby's head above the surface of the water. Due to the fact that the foam is attached to the cap with small blocks from the outside, it is quite difficult to put such a structure on the head of a newborn alone. In addition, a swimming cap does not prevent water from getting into the child’s ears. The disadvantages of this accessory also include the fact that it will not be possible to bathe a baby in such a hat without a vest, since body support is also necessary. It is quite justified to use a cap together with a foam vest, but even with such a set, safe and comfortable bathing for a baby is not guaranteed.

The rapid growth of children makes most of the devices and accessories presented in the review obsolete. Of course, all parents individually assess the need for a particular device, and you can easily do without almost everything except for a couple of really necessary and useful things. But the joy of communicating with the baby only increases with mutual comfort, so if the use of additional devices brings pleasure not only to the parents, but also to the baby, then purchasing them is justified and necessary, even if they will be used for a very short time.

Types of seats for bathing a baby in the bathtub

Manufacturers offer a wide variety of seat models, differing in the degree of comfort and safety.

All chairs are divided into the following types:

universal : in addition to suction cups, the set includes legs that allow you to use the chair not only for bathing, but also for feeding. There is no high backrest or bumper, since such chairs are designed for children who can confidently hold their backrest. The seat is suitable for one-year-old babies and older children. Maximum weight – 36 kg;
standard : structurally simple and reliable models. Suction cup mounting. Can be equipped with a game panel;
hanging : attached to the sides of the bath with adjustable clamp brackets. The chair can be lowered or raised above the water. Do not use a suspended seat if your baby is active and can already stand. The child can push off from the bottom of the bathtub, tearing off the fixing brackets, and roll over along with the seat;
with 360° rotation : the chair can be rotated in a way that is convenient for mother to bathe the baby. This will allow you to wash your baby from all sides. The child will really like the swivel chair, because his horizons will expand.

Bathing chairs have undeniable advantages:
those kids who are afraid of water will be able to feel comfortable with partial immersion;
it is convenient for parents to wash a child sitting in such a structure, and they are calm about his safety;
the seats have removable parts, fold easily and do not take up much space when stored;
By purchasing a transforming seat, you can save money without buying a high chair.

The use of some models requires additional expenses or has inconveniences in operation:
no anti-slip seat mat. It must be purchased separately;
the space between the legs is too wide (for the smallest children);
The chair is equipped with fabric covers, which need to be washed after the water procedure.

For bathing disabled children, special chairs with wide straps to secure the body have been developed.

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